‘The Tonight Show’ Staffers Defend Jimmy Fallon After ‘Toxic Workplace’ and ‘Erratic Behavior’ Accusations

Former and current employees The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon they argue that the witty, charismatic host of the show fosters a different environment off-camera.

Two current and 14 former employees, from production crew members to office staff, spoke with Rolling stonestating that “Tonight’s show has been a toxic workplace for years,” with the negativity reportedly stemming from the “erratic behavior” of Fallon, 48.

In a statement to PEOPLE, NBC said, “We are incredibly proud Tonight’s show, and providing a respectful work environment is a top priority. As in any workplace, employees asked us questions; they were investigated and measures were taken as necessary. As always, we encourage employees who feel that they have experienced or observed behavior that does not comply with our policies to report their concerns so that they can be addressed appropriately.”

A current employee of the show who spoke to PEOPLE described Fallon as “super communicative” and “a really, really positive guy.”

“He praises you when you do a good job and when he’s happy,” said the employee, who wished to remain anonymous. “And all the feedback I got was always like, ‘Hey, we don’t have to do that again.’ It was very constructive and helpful to me in continuing to put together a show that he is happy with. I was never belittled, yelled at, anything like that. It’s all exactly the way a boss should give feedback to an employee.”

Jimmy Fallon on the set of ‘The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon’.

Rosalind O’Connor/NBC via Getty

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However, employees Rolling stone those interviewed claimed to have witnessed Fallon “attacking crew members, expressing irritation over the smallest things, and cursing and belittling staff out of frustration.” Employees described fear of Fallon’s “outbursts” and unpredictable behavior.

According to Rolling stonestaff expressed their concerns to HR, but the problems at Tonight’s show continued. “They don’t protect us,” said one former employee Rolling stone from the show’s human resources department. – They don’t do anything for us.

Two employees were specially invited Rolling stone the time Fallon allegedly scolded the crew member in charge of his cards during a taping with Jerry Seinfeld. Seinfeld, 69, reportedly told Fallon to apologize to the crew member, which Fallon then did, according to the outlet.

“It was very embarrassing, and Jerry [Seinfeld] it was like, ‘You should apologize to him,’ almost trying to make a joke out of it,” said the former employee Rolling stone. “It was one of the weirdest moments ever and so many people were there, so it’s kind of hard to forget.”

Jerry Seinfeld (left) and Jimmy Fallon on ‘The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon’ in October 2021.

Sean Gallagher/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty

In a statement to PEOPLE, Seinfeld called the characterization of the situation “so stupid.”

“I remember this moment well… I was teasing Jimmy about the mistake and we all had a good laugh about how Jimmy rarely gets kicked out,” the comedian said. “It wasn’t embarrassing at all. Jimmy and I still think about it occasionally and laugh. An idiotic twist of events.”

In another case, Fallon reportedly had a confusing incident during a 2017 rehearsal in front of a live studio audience, during which he crossed out jokes on a piece of paper in his hand, joked with the audience and then looked back at the piece of paper, confused.

“He couldn’t remember crossing it himself,” one employee said Rolling stone. “I thought, ‘Oh, my God, him [seems] drunk. He doesn’t know what he’s doing. This could be terrible — this could be the end of the show right here.’”

The employee who spoke to PEOPLE also said he had never heard of locker rooms being referred to as cry rooms — something other employees mentioned Rolling stone. “I think these are very old allegations that are being brought up again for some reason,” the employee said. “I’m really happy to be working there right now.”

Seven former employees claimed that their mental health was affected by their alleged experience working at Tonight’s show and I believe Fallon’s influence can be seen in the revolving door of employees on the show.

Tonight’s show has had nine showrunners in the past nine years, and Rolling stone reported that neither would comment on Fallon on the record or offer words of support. The employees also said Rolling stone that many of the show’s main hosts do not hold the father of two responsible for his behavior.

Jimmy Fallon and his wife Nancy Juvonen with their daughters Frances and Winnie.

Jimmy Fallon/Instagram

“Nobody said ‘No’ to Jimmy. Everyone was walking on eggshells, especially the showrunners,” said another former employee Rolling stone. “You never knew which Jimmy we were going to get and when he was going to have a hissing fit.”

The employee PEOPLE spoke with believes the problems boiled down to top management — not Fallon — and claims the climate has improved dramatically under current host Chris Miller.

“The environment on the show has completely changed since Chris Miller took over,” an employee told PEOPLE. “He’s an amazing leader… But I feel like I’m working for a different show. I’ve worked in television for 20 years for a variety of talent and I’m really proud to be working for Jimmy and immensely proud to show that we’re producing.”

The employee admits to hearing talk of a toxic workplace Tonight’s showalthough it was “all about our previous showrunner and nothing but that.”

They also acknowledge that the show has had a number of executive producers during its nine-year run, but believe Miller, who took over from Jamie Granet-Bederman in 2022, will stay on.

“Chris is such a good fit,” the employee told PEOPLE. “He’s just positive, communicative. He treats us all with so much respect. I really feel like a part of the team under Chris and I feel more free with him than with any of our previous leaders, just to walk into his office and talk to him about anything. Always will make time for me. I really think he’s wonderful.”

Jimmy Fallon appears at the Jonas Brothers concert and sings ‘Mr. Brightside’ on stage

Rolling stone reportedly contacted about 80 employees while investigating Fallon’s alleged behavior. The publication noted that “while many of them praised Fallon’s immense talent and comedic gifts, none agreed to speak on the spot or had positive things to say about working on Tonight’s show.”

An employee who spoke to PEOPLE says current employees feel “frustrated” by the allegations that surfaced Thursday.

“I know this sounds cliche and pretty corny: He just wants to make people happy and have a really creative, fun show,” the staffer said. “He wants guests to leave happy and feel like they had a positive experience. He really, truly does.”

Miley Cyrus and Jimmy Fallon on ‘The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon’ in December 2022 Todd Owyoung/NBC via Getty

Fallon took over Tonight’s show by Jay Leno in 2014. Before that, Fallon hosted Late Night with Jimmy Fallon from 2009-14 and appeared on Saturday night live from 1998-2004

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon he paused in May when the Writers Guild of America went on strike.

“Things have changed so much for the better, and it’s disheartening to see some of these old allegations being brought up again,” a current employee told PEOPLE. “It’s such a stressful time in the entertainment industry, I can understand how old experiences and grievances can come back, but none of this sounds like the show I’ve been working on for the past year, more or less.”

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The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon airs weekdays at 11:35 PM ET on NBC.

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